PGCPS board approves bus-patrol contract; technology fee cut to $172 per bus

The Prince George's County Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt agenda item 19.1, approving a revised bus-patrol contract that board presenters said will lower costs and tighten data protections.

Dr. Joseph told the board the contract will be procured through a publicly and competitively bid national cooperative (TIPS) to secure better pricing and that the technology fee that supports the cost-neutral program was reduced “from $400 per bus to $172 per bus.” He said PGCPS will own the data generated under the contract, that the data will be encrypted, and that contract terms were strengthened to align with FERPA and the Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA).

Vice Chair Briggs and other board members asked for details about what changed from the 2021 arrangement. Procurement supervisor Mr. Will Smith said the cooperative purchasing approach addresses prior audit findings by relying on a competitive solicitation performed on behalf of a public entity and by exposing vendor proposals and supporting documentation to review. “It meets all the criterias that are consistent with with Maryland law,” he said, describing the process as one that provides public notice, evaluation panels and documented past-performance vetting.

As presented, the contract splits previously bundled services: the routing system will be provided under a separate contract using a vendor described as Bus Planner (replacing the earlier Transfinder routing subcontract), vehicle GPS will shift from Zonar to Geotab, and the stop-arm camera enforcement terms were separated so revenue authority and enforcement could be reviewed independently. Dr. Joseph said those changes helped secure more competitive pricing while maintaining a cost-neutral structure for PGCPS.

Board members also asked about the technology fee and how it is calculated. Dr. Joseph described the fee as a flat charge tied to camera system maintenance and related services, noting the district manages roughly 14 cameras per bus to support onboard and exterior monitoring.

Miss Johnson called the roll for the vote on agenda item 19.1; the recorded roll call shows Miss Ajakay, Dr. Ander, Miss Boozer, Mr. Briggs, Mrs. Brown, Miss McCants, Mrs. Jackson Saunders, Dr. Moss, Mrs. Olivo and Mr. Jackson all voting in the affirmative. The board adopted general order 19.1 by a 10-0 vote.

The board moved on to the next item after adoption; no amendments to 19.1 were recorded.